Canopy retaining means



J 1932- J. B. GLOWACKI 1 1,841,726

CANOPY RETAINING EEANS Fil ed Nov. 29, 1929 2 sheets-sheep 1 2 l l .2 5 a l f 1 mm 5 VEHQH I 6 J0 72 B. 6/0 aeil Jan. 19, 1932. J. B. GLOWACKI CANOPY RETAINING MEANS Filed Nov. 29, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 5 in proper position on the stems which arev Patented Jan. 19, 1932 PATENT OFFICE JOHN B. GLOWACKI, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS CANOPY RETAINING MEANS Application filed November 29, 1929.

In the mounting of electric light fixtures, considerable trouble and annoyance has always been encountered in properly holding and supporting electric light fixture canopies connected in the outlet boxes and on which the fixtures are supported. Heretofore, the electric light fixture canopies have been slid ably engaged on the stem and have been held in position by means of set-screws or the like.

\Vith this arrangement of supporting the canopies, it has been found that decorators and repair-men remove the set-screws or loosen the same, permitting the canopies to drop on the fixture stems, exposing the wire and, as a consequence, the canopies usually are permitted to remain in their lowered positions.

This invention relates to an improved type of canopy retaining means for electric light fixtures and the like, said retaining means embracing a beaded frictional or spring clamping sleeve having frictional sliding engagement with a fixture stem and adapted to project into a canopy and be connected therewith, so that the canopy and the retaining means may be slidably moved upwardly on the stem after a fixture has been supported and the wiring connections have been completed.

It is an object of this invention to provide a canopy retaining means for use in connection with electric light fixtures, said retaining means having frictional spring clamping engagement with the fixture stem and adapted to be frictionally moved upwardly to push the canopy into contact with the ceiling or wall and securely hold the same in position to enclose and hide the wire connections and the hickey at the upper end of the fixture supporting stem.

It is also an object of this invention to provide an improved canopy retaining means adapted to be frictionally engaged on an electric light fixture stem and moved into interfitting relation with the lower end of a Serial N0. 410,542.

canopy to securely hold the canopy in position against a ceiling or wall and permitting lowering of the canopy by merely pulling downwardly on the retaining means.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved simplified canopy rel taining means adapted to be connected at the apertured lower end of a fixture canopy and having frictional sliding engagement with a fixture stem permitting the canopy and the retaining means to be raised or lowered with respect to the fixture stem without the use of set-screws or tools.

It is furthermore an object of this invention to provide an improved, simplified form of canopy retaining means of either the allmetal or of the insulated type adapted to be frictionally engaged on an electric light fixture stem to be projected into and connected with the lower apertured end of a fixture canopy to permit the canopy to be mounted in place by merely sliding the retaining means upwardly on the stem and furthermore permitting the canopy to be removed from a predetermined position by merely pulling downwardly on the retaining means or the canopy. A

It is an important object of this invention to provide an improved, simplified and inexpensive type of canopy retaining means of either the all-metal or of an insulated type having spring members for frictional engagement with an electric light fixture stem and furthermore having means engaged thereon adapted to coact with a canopy to hold the same associated with the retaining means, permitting the canopy and the retaining means to be frictionally moved either upwardly or downwardly on the fixture stem to either mount the canopy in position against a ceiling or wall or remove the same from a mounted position to facilitate access to the electric wires of the fixture.

Other and further important objects of this invention will be apparent from the dis closures in the specification and the accompanying drawings.

The invention (in a preferred form) is illustrated in the drawings and hereinafter more fully described.

On the drawings:

Figure 1 is an elevational View of an electric light fixture supporting stem connected in an outlet box, partly broken away, with said stem having a canopy engaged thereon and associated with an improved canopy retaining means to permit the canopy to be raised into a position by frictional movement of the retaining means on said stem.

Figure 2 illustrates a reduced elevational view of a fixture supporting stem with the canopy held in position against the ceiling by means of the improved canopy retaining means associated with the lower end of the canopy. I

Figure 3 is an enlarged side elevation of an improved canopy retaining means engaged on a fixture stem, with the canopy omitted.

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the canopy retaining means with the fixture stem omitted, and showing the lock members in bent over dotted line position to permit locking of the canopy retaining means with the lower end of a canopy.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line VV of Figure 4, showing one of the locking members in bent over position engaged with the lower end of a canopy to lock the canopy retaining means and the canopy together for frictional movement on the fixture stem.

Figure 6 illustrates a fragmentary portion of a fixture stem having frictionally mounted thereon a modified form of canopy retaining means.

Figure 7 is a top plan view of the modified form of canopy retaining means with the fixture stem omitted.

Figure 8 is a vertical sectional central View of the modified form of canopy retaining means taken on line VIIIVIII of Figure 7, showing the fixture stem in place.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary sectional view of the lower portion of a fixture canopy engaged around a fixture stem and having asso ciated therewith another modified form of canopy retaining means of the insulation type.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary sectional view of the lower end of a fixture ca'nopy engaged around a fixture stem, shown in elevation, and supported in position on the stem by means of another modified form of canopy retaining means having frictional engagement with the fixture stem and locking engagement with the lower end of the canopy.

Figure 11 is a transverse sectional view of the modified form of canopy retaining means shown in Figure 10, and taken on the section line XI-XI of Figure 10, with the canopy and fixture stem omitted.

As shown on the drawings:

The reference numeral 1 indicates a ceiling or wall having supported therein an outlet box 2 in which the upper end of an electric light fixture stem 3 is supported. Engaged on the lower end of the stem 3 is a fixture supporting device 4:. Slidably mounted on the fixture stem 3 is a canopy 5 having an opening in the lower end thereof sufiiciently large to permit an improved canopy retaining means to be engaged therein.

The improved canopy retaining means comprises a lower sleeve section 6 having integrally formed on the lower end thereof an upwardly curled bead or ring 7, the upper margin of which is spaced from the lower sleeve section 6. Integrally formed on the upper end of the lower sleeve section 6 is an upper or reduced sleeve section 8 connected with the lower section by means of a shoulder or inwardly directed bead 9. The two sleeves 6 and 8, forming the body of the retaining means, are provided with a plurality of spaced longitudinally positioned tapered notches or slots 10 forming a plurality of spring sections adapted to have frictional resilient clamping engagement with the wall of the fixture stem 3 by means of the bead segment portions 9, thereby permitting the canopy retaining means to be moved upwardly or downwardly on the fixture stem and retained in any set position of adjustment. An arrangement is thus provided whereby the canopy may be readily secured in position with the upper edge of the canopy engaged against the ceiling or wall 1. Struck from each of the divided segments forming the body portion of the canopy retaining means is a finger or tongue 11 which is located in the lower sleeve section 6 and projects above the bead 7 permitting the slotted body portion of the retaining means to be slidably engaged on the fixture stem 3, with the lower end of the canopy fitting over the body section of the retaining means, so that, when the canopy is in a lowered position as illustrated in Figure 1, a tool may be engaged therein to cause the fingers or tongues 11 to be bent over into the position illustrated in Figure 5, thereby locking the canopy retaining meansin engagement with the lower end of the canopy 5.

Figures 6, 7 and 8 illustrate a modified form of canop retaining means comprising a cylindrical ody portion consisting of a lower cylindrical section 12, the lower margin of which is provided with an outwardly directed flange 13. Integrally formed on the lower cylindrical section 12 is an upper cylindrical section of reduced diameter designated by the reference numeral 14. The two body sections 12 and 14: are integrally connected by means of an inwardly directed bead or ring 15. The body section of the retaining means is provided with a plurality of longitudinally directed tapered slots 16 which extend from the top margin of the upper section 14 downwardly to about half the depth of the lower body section 12, there-. by dividing the body section into a plurality of spring segments or sections adapted to be frictionally engaged over a fixture stem 3 with the segments of the bead 15 having frictional bearing contact with the outer surface of the stem 3 to cause the sections of the body portion of the retaining means to have resilient springing or clamping contact toward the stem. Engaged around the lower body section 12 of the retaining means is an insulation sleeve 17, provided at its lower end with an external insulation bead or ring 18 provided with knurling 19 around the periphery thereof. The lower portion of the insulation bead 18 is recessed to permit the same to afiord a seat for the flan e 13 of the body section of the device. btruck outwardly at spaced intervals from the lower body section 12 of the retaining means are a plurality of lugs, tongues or fingers 20 which are bent downwardly to engage against the upper edge of the insulation sleeve 17 to rigidly hold the insulation member locked around the base section 12 and seated against the flange 13.

In the modified form of the device illustrated in Figures 6 to 8, inclusive, the improved canopy retaining means is of the insulation type and is adapted to be frictionally engaged on a fixture stem 3 below a fixture canopy, the lower apertured end of which is permitted to drop over the upper body section 14 and engage over the insulation sleeve 17 with the lower end of the canopy resting on the insulation bead 18. With the canopy in a lowered position resting on the insulation bead 18, similar to the arrangement illustrated in Figure 1, a person has merely to engage the knurled bead 18 to frictionally push the same upwardly on the stem, thereby also raising the canopy until the upper end of the canopy is brought into contact with the ceiling or'wall 1. The frictional contact of the bead segments 15, formed within the spring body portion of the retaining means, acts to frictionally clamp the retaining means in engagement with the stem at any position of iLClJHStIIlQIlt thereon, so that the canopy may be readily retained in position in contact with the ceiling, or, if desired, the canopy may be lowered by merely pulling downwardly on the canopy retaining means. It will thus be noted that the improved spring clamp type of canopy retaining means may be mounted in position to securely hold a canopy in position without requiring the use of set-screws, tools or the like. In this form of the device, the insulation sleeve 17, together with the bead 18 forming a part thereof, serves as a means for insulating the canopy from the fixture stem 3, and may be used in such cases where insulation is desired or required.

Figure 9 illustrates another modified form of canopy retaining means adapted to be engaged on an electric light fixture stem 3 in coacting relation with the lower apertured end of a fixture canopy 5. The modified form of canopy retaining means illustrated in Figure 9 comprises a cylindrical body portion 21 provided with a plurality of longitudinally disposed spaced tapered grooves 22 similar to those illustrated in Figure 6 to divide the body portion into a plurality of spring sections adapted to be engaged over a fixture stem. An inwardly directed bead or rounded shoulder 23 is integrally provided circumferentially within the body portion 21 and is adapted to have frictional contact with the outer surface of the fixture stem 3. Integrally formed on the lower end of the body section 21 is an outwardly directed flange 24 adapted to seat in a recess provided in an insulation bead 25 formed on an exteriorly threaded insulation sleeve 26 which is engaged around the lower portion of the cylindrical body portion 21 of the device. To hold the insulation sleeve 26 securely engaged around the lower portion of the body 21, the body is provided with a plurality of detents 27 struck inwardly to project into the inner surface of the insulation sleeve 26 to rigidly hold the insulation sleeve locked around the lower portion of the body of the device. The body portion 21 of the retaining means is adapted to be slidably pushed through the opening in the lower end of the canopy 5, with the threaded portion of the insulation sleeve 26 positioned within the canopy for the purpose of receiving an internally threaded retaining or look ing ring 28 threaded thereon to engage the lower end of the canopy and hold the same seated against the head 25, thereby locking the canopy and the retaining means together to permit the same to be moved frictionally upwardly on the fixture stem 3 as a unit. The lock ring 28 is, of course, engaged on the insulation sleeve 26 when the canopy is in a lowered position similar to that illustrated in Figure 1, after which the retaining means, together with the canopy, are adapted to be slidably pushed upwardly on the stem until the upper end of the canopy is brought into seating contact with the ceiling or wall from which the fixture is suspended.

Figures 10 and 11 illustrate another modified form of canopy retaining means, which, in this case, comprises a metal sleeve 29 having integrally formed on the lower end thereof an outwardly and upwardly curled metal head or rounded rim' 30, the upper margin of which is spaced from the outer wall of the sleeve 29 to afford a ocket into which the lower apertured end 0 a fixture canopy 5 is adapted to seat. Struck from the metal sleeve 29 at spaced intervals are a plurality of tongues or locking fingers 31 which normally are adapted to be positioned in the walls of the sleeve 29 to permit the sleeve to be pushed upwardly into the lower end of a canopy 5 when the same is lowered. After the sleeve is projected into the canopy, a tool may be engaged in the upper end of the canopy to bend the locking fingers or lugs 31 over into the position illustrated in Figure 10, thereby locking the retaining means and the canopy together. The wall of the cylinder or housing 29 is provided with a plurality of parallel cuts arranged in pairs longitudinally of the sleeve or body section to provide a plurality of longitudinally disposed frictional shoes or straps 32 which are deflected inwardly to permit the same to be frictionally engaged on the outer surface of a fixture stem 3 to frictionally hold the can opy retaining means, together with the canopy in a set position of adjustment on the fixture stem. After the locking tongues or fingers 31 have been bent over, as illustrated in Figure 10, the retaining means, together with the canopy, may be pushed upwardly on the stem until the upper end of the canopy is brought into seating engagement against the ceiling or wall on which the fixture is mounted.

In the various forms of canopy retaining means hereinbefore described, it will be noted that each of the various retaining means is adapted to be frictionally engaged on a fixture stem and moved thereon to permit a canopy to be raised with the respective retaining means which interfits the lower end of the canopy to permit the canopy to be pushed upwardly or lowered, as the case may be. The canopy retaining means may interfit the lower end of the canopy or itmay be locked therewith without requiring the use of screws or the like. With the improved type of canopy retaining means illustrated and described, a canopy is adapted to be held in a supported position against a ceiling or wall by means of the frictional locking engagement of the retaining means which is adapted to project into the apertured lower or outer end of a canopy. In this connection, it will be noted that, when a canopy has been lowered into the position similar to that illustrated in Figure l to permit access to the wiring connections in an outlet box or to permit cleaning of the ceiling or wall, no

tools are required to lower the canopy, which I may be lowered by merely pulling the same or the retaining means downwardly on the fixture stem. After a ceiling has been cleaned or the wiring within the outlet box has been attended to, it is merely necessary to push upwardly on the retaining means to move the canopy into engagement with the ceiling or Wall with the retaining means frictionally engaging the stem to hold the canopy in proper position.

The canopy retaining means may be either of the all-metal type, as illustrated in Figures 3 and 10, or of the insulation type, as illustrated in Figures 6 and 9. It will furthermore be understood that, if desired, the canopy retaining means of the type illustrated in Figures 3 and 10 may be constructed without the locking fingers or tongues 11 and 31, in which case the retaining means, having frictional engagement with the fixture stems, are adapted to have the body portions thereof project into the lower apertured ends of the canopies, so that, when the retaining means are pushed upwardly, the canopies are raised and when the retaining means are pulled downwardly, the canopies are permitted to drop by gravity with the lower ends of the canopies seated against the bead members of the retaining means.

The beads 9, 15 and 23 act as spring friction members connecting the lower and upper body sections, and serve to position the upper body section arms or segments slightly inclined outwardly to facilitate mounting of the device. The spring beads permit a split body or sleeve to be provided with an inside diameter which may be slightly larger than the outside diameter of a pipe or stem on which the device is to be engaged, so that the beads project inwardly beyond the inner surfaces of the split body or sleeve with a diameter less than that of the stem to frictionally contact the exterior of the pipe or stem to compensate for variations in the diameters of stems supposed to be of a given size or diameter. It will thus be seen that the split sleeve may be readily engaged on a stem until the circumferential or segment-shaped beads are moved into contact with the outer surface of the stem, causing a tight frictional fit therewith to securely hold the canopy supporting means in a clamped position of adjustment on the stem without any danger of said means being accidentally loosened due to vibration or the like.

It will, of course, be understood that various details of construction may be varied through a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention, and it is, therefore, not purposed to limit the patent granted hereon otherwise than necessitated by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. The combination with a fixture stem and a canopy engaged thereon, of an internally beaded canopy retaining means frictionally engaged on said stem and projecting into the lower end of the canopy to frictionally hold the canopy in a set position of adjustment on said stem, and an insulation member between said means and said canopy.

2. A fixture canopy retaining means comprising a slotted body section, arc shaped friction beads integrally formed therein, an enlarged base section formed on the lower 248. SU PPORTS,

end of said body section, and means for holding a canopy locked with the retaining means with the slotted body section projecting into the lower end of the canopy.

3. A fixture canopy retaining means comprising a slotted body section, inner peripheral friction beads struck inwardly therefrom and intercepted by the slots in said body section, and a beaded base section formed on said body section to afl'ord a seat for the lower end of a canopy when the slotted body section is projected into the canopy.

4. A fixture canopy retaining means comprising a slotted spring body section, friction means integrally formed therein for en-- gagement on a fixture stem, a base section integrally formed on the lower end of the slotted body section, an insulation member on said base section, and means struck from the body section adapted to engage the insulation member to hold the same seated on the base section.

5. A fixture canopy retaining means comprising a slotted body section, arc shaped,

friction beads struck inwardly from the inner surface of the body section, and means on the body section below the beads for lock ing the retaining means in the lower end of a fixture canopy.

6. A fixture canopy retaining means com prising a slotted body section having circumferential beads formed therein, and in sulation means on the lower end of the body section for supporting a fixture canopy thereon.

7 A fixture canopy supporting means comprising a split body section, friction members integrally formed therein, a flange integrally formed on said body section, an insulation means seated on said flange and affording a seat for the lower end of a canopy.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name at Chicago, Cook County,

Illinois.

JOHN B. GLOWACKI.

Otldr 

